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Akron’s Cuzzell Smith Honored at National MLK Conference in Arkansas

History was made in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the National Martin Luther King Jr. Commission hosted a first-of-its-kind national conference, bringing together MLK commissions throughout the country. The gathering was designed to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, inspire new ideas, and strengthen efforts for advocacy, youth empowerment, and economic development. In the midst of this historic moment, Akron CAN’s own Mr. Cuzzell Smith was honored for his lifetime of leadership and service throughout the Akron community.

Smith has long been a champion for young people in Akron, helping provide scholarships and advocacy education for those with promise and vision for the future. Speaking at the conference, Mr. Smith shared, “We partner with Akron Community Action Network to provide advocacy education." Later, he added, "We have been providing scholarships for years for people who are young, talented, and have a future ahead of them.” Mr. Smith also took the stage as a keynote speaker at Shorter College, joining other national leaders, including Vanessa Williams Nash, CEO of the National Conference of Mayors. Together, they helped shape conversations that not only looked back at Dr. King’s dream but also cast a vision for what comes next.

The conference celebrated the 62nd anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, reminding all in attendance that the work of justice and unity continues today. For Akron CAN, Mr. Smith’s recognition was a proud reminder that the city’s voices are helping lead that work on a national stage.

Beth Vild of Big Love Network receives award

Beth Vild, co-founder and COO of The Big Love Network, was recently honored with the 2025 John Brown Award by the Akron Rites of Passage Institute at its annual Village Ball, held August 16 at Quaker Station in downtown Akron. The Institute’s program recognizes community service leaders through its John Brown Hero & Shero Awards—alongside honors named for Marcus Garvey and Sojourner Truth—for advancing culture, justice, and community well-being. Vild was celebrated for her long-standing, hands-on leadership in environmental health equity, neighborhood placemaking, and coalition-building across Akron.